Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Dallas Mavericks’ franchise star Luka Doncic had long wanted a back-up center to better compliment his game and in new deadline day trade acquisition Daniel Gafford, the perennial All-Star guard finally has one. Elsewhere the Mavs made a shrewd acquisition to acquire PJ Washington from an uncertain situation across conferences in Charlotte, as they continue bolstering their backcourt. Continue reading “Doncic gets his long-awaited wish as Dallas do trade deadline day business”
Jack Hermansson endured an ominously slow start, weathered the storm and showed his main event mettle in the latter stages to outwork Joe Pyfer over 25 minutes, in an invaluable learning experience for the powerful 27-year-old – who couldn’t build on a purposeful start and was subsequently punished. Continue reading “Hermansson shows Pyfer value of experience, wins over five tough rounds”
Billed as a crossroads clash, this quickly proved anything but. Rising middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz wasted no time scoring a marquee maiden main event win and let his boxing talk for him, needing less than a full round to complete a stunning demolition job against former world title challenger Liam Williams as a shocked Copper Box Arena crowd watched on. Continue reading “Sheeraz swarms Williams, scores two knockdowns en route to fantastic R1 finish”
Longtime middleweight contender Jack Hermansson has alternated wins and losses in his last eight fights, now into his mid-30s and teetering in the back half of the division’s top-15 rankings. Joe Pyfer, a Contender Series alum with a trio of stoppage victories to open his UFC stint, finds himself a golden opportunity to show exactly why he’s the trending superstar he declares this weekend. Continue reading “Joe Pyfer latest to envision middleweight star turn, should he pass Hermansson test”
Much has been placed on Hamzah Sheeraz’s shoulders as the rising middleweight faces his toughest test to headline the Copperbox Arena this weekend, but Frank Warren has a clear plan of action involving him and a highly motivated Anthony Yarde. So, will all go to plan? Continue reading “Frank Warren eyes Heaney-Sheeraz, Buatsi-Yarde if his plans prove successful”
David Moyes declared Declan Rice was worth more than £100m, and his West Ham side were the beneficiaries of a nine-figure sum when Arsenal swooped for his signature last summer. Ivan Toney is perhaps even more expensive to Brentford, though the England striker’s existing situation makes it difficult to envisage a high bidding war – something his manager has now said publicly. Continue reading “Thomas Frank accepting the inevitable leaves Ivan Toney sweepstakes open”
During the main card of an underwhelming Fight Night card over the weekend, welterweight Randy Brown scored his first stoppage win for almost three years in round one vs. Muslim Salikhov, then called to feature on the UFC 300 card – angling to prove why he’s top-15 calibre at 170lbs. Michael Chiesa unwittingly became an example fuelling the fire for him and other non-ranked contenders. Continue reading “Randy Brown’s respectful, pointed Chiesa callout exemplifies the UFC’s ranking issue”
Pascal Siakam produced a near triple-double – 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds – as the Indiana Pacers won well away in Charlotte on his 10th appearance since last month’s trade move from Toronto. Naturally, the two-time All-Star forward spoke about his excitement to rack up more wins and stress-test the ball club’s full potential alongside a healthy Tyrese Haliburton. Continue reading “Ten games into his Indiana stint, Siakam key in Hornets win and excited for more”
Long-standing cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe will get his maiden shot at championship gold in a rematch against WBO world champion Chris Billam-Smith, five years after edging a split decision win over ten rounds when both were 9-0 prospects. While a date in April or May is TBC, the 34-year-old was angry during an awkward interview between them in Saturday’s Sky broadcast. Continue reading “Riakporhe jaws at Billam-Smith during interview, rematch set for WBO world title”
Joshua Buatsi started sharp, invested in body attacks well and logged a pair of knockdowns in round 11 en route to a wide unanimous decision win over friend and former sparring partner Dan Azeez, inflicting his first professional defeat to unify domestic titles at light-heavyweight – as the clamour to see him finally tested at world level vs. long-reigning WBA champion Dmitry Bivol resumes.
Continue reading “Buatsi scores two knockdowns, outboxes Azeez and inches closer to world title shot”
Just hours after being announced as one of the Eastern Conference’s seven All-Star reserve players, Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Tyrese Maxey shook off an ankle complaint and produced a new career-high 51 points to help lead an injury-hit Sixers team through to a gritty road victory in Utah as serious concern lurks in the background surrounding the status of reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Continue reading “Maxey marks maiden All-Star selection with 51-point showing in Utah road win”
At long last, Armando Broja has a new home and he’ll make the short trip to Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham for the remainder of this season after the two clubs negotiated a £4m loan fee for his services – beating interest from others, including a surprise late swoop by one particular Italian giant. Continue reading “Fulham fend off interest from others, sealing loan deal for Chelsea’s Broja”
Mo and Sports 